The Cost of Love

Chapter 31

I used every ounce of strength I had to lift my hand up and brush my fingers against her jaw. I could feel the poison moving throughout my body, and I fought the urge to groan again. "Listen," I called, but it sounded so weak it was probably nothing more than a whisper. Her head snapped towards me, eyes wide and scared. Her soft hair tickled my face as she brought herself closer so she could hear me. 

"I want you to know that I love you so much. And that you're going to be okay," I continued. She started to interrupt, to tell me that I was giving up or something, but she needed to hear this. "You're going to be okay, Kiara. You're okay," I said huskily. Yeah, I was so fucking sad that I wouldn't be able to live our life together. But she could live without me. I'd seen her act so strong today, and I knew that she'd be able to live on and maybe be happy. 

She let out a choked sob that honestly broke my heart. "I need you," she said brokenly. She sounded so miserable in that moment. "Don't fall asleep; don't leave me," she begged. 

I could hear commotion going on around us, but I couldn't focus on anything else besides Kiara. My mate. Even if I wasn't going to make it, being able to meet her and love her for as long as I had was worth it for me. 

"I won't ever leave you," I said, my voice growing huskier. It was getting to be too much to keep talking. "I'll always be in love with you." 

I had meant to console her, but I was pretty sure all I did was make her cry even more. Her whole body was shaking now, in fear or because of the cold weather, I had no idea. She lifted her head up to speak to someone, but I couldn't figure out who it was. I couldn't afford to take my eyes off of her. 

"Connor," she said in that determined voice I loved. 

"Hmm," I responded sleepily. Was it weird that I was sort of turned on by her right now? 

"The medics are going to transfer you to the ambulance, and you're going to go to the hospital. You just have to hold out until you get there. Can you do that? For me, Connor, please?" 

I felt a flash of pain in my abdomen, so sharp I could've passed out right then. "Kiara, I -" I started, but she cut me off. 

"This is what you've been training for your whole life, Connor," she said, starting to hyperventilate now. "You need to fight! Fight for me. Promise you'll fight for me, please." Tears were trailing down her face as she looked at me with sheer desperation. 

I couldn't say no to her. I couldn't ever say no to her when she looked at me so vulnerably like that. "I promise," I breathed. She actually sagged in relief; she had too much faith in me. 

It took about five minutes to transfer me to the ambulance, but in those five minutes my chest felt like it was on fucking fire. I was barely registering that someone was screaming in pain, and it finally clicked that it was me making those horrible sounds. Kiara was trying her best to keep my mind of the pain as she squeezed my hand in hers, but even I could sense her heart breaking through our bond. She kept brushing my now damp hair out of my eyes, and whenever she did I would immediately stare at her, as if her beauty could somehow make me forget about the pain.

Finally, I wasn't being moved anymore, and I could feel the hum of the ambulance as we started driving away from the pack house. My chest constricted as I felt the poison taking over my body some more. I knew it wouldn't be long before I'd finally pass out from the pain, allowing the poison to shut down each organ before my body wouldn't be able to handle it. 

Strangely, the thought of dying didn't scare me. It was seeing Kiara's broken expression that scared me shitless. I didn't want her to be a mere shell of the person she once was, and the thought that she could be anything but the beautiful, vulnerable, angel she was broke my heart. 

My breathing started to hitch, and I squeezed her hand with everything I had in me. She noticed my fearful expression and shook her head.

"Connor, stay awake. I love you, please, look at me," she said with a shaky voice. She was trying so hard to be strong. I hoped it would last. 

"C'mere," was all I could say, and I hoped that one fucking word conveyed everything I wanted to say to her. I needed to kiss her ever since the first gunshot rang out and she instantly ran to her pack. 

She thankfully got the message, and she brought her head down to meet mine. She brushed her lips against mine, and I used all my strength to kiss her with as much passion as I could muster. It was beginning to become too much for me, with my eyes closed like that. When I found myself drifting away, my head fell back on the stretcher and I realized I couldn't open my eyes again. 

I finally passed out to the sound of Kiara screaming my name in panic. 

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This is probably the most depressing chapter I've ever written omg. What is wrong with me???? 

Had to happen :( 

What do you think will happen next? Will Connor survive the poison? Will Kiara ever be happy again? 

Please don't forget to comment and vote, I miss hearing what you guys think! 

Next chapter should be up soon! xx